South San Francisco Ferry Service Construction Plans Move

Ferry service between South San Francisco and Oakland just moved one step closer to reality. The Board of Directors of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority (WTA) approved construction phasing plans for the South Francisco Ferry Terminal at Oyster Point, contingent upon successful lease negotiations with the property owner (the San Mateo County Harbor District). If all goes according to plan, construction could start as early as this Fall.

To expedite construction and maximize contractor participation, the WTA would build the terminal in two construction packages: One covering the float and gangway and another for the terminal.

Award of the float construction contract is scheduled for this November. It will be built off-site and delivered to Oyster Point in September 2008. The second package covering the terminal construction will start in May 2008. While the Board authorized staff to start the bidding phase, funding plans still need to be confirmed before contracts are awarded. Construction cost estimates for South San Francisco ferry service, including 2 new vessels, is $46 million, of which $16.3 million covers the construction of the terminal, gangway and float.